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22 September 2012

Marian's Testimony


“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

As a six year old girl I expected to see the Lord Jesus return at any moment. Every morning I woke up and looked out of my window to see if He had come yet. He didn’t come and somewhere along the years my expectation died. Then as a teenager I was hanging out with the wrong friends and I didn’t care about God anymore. In that time I did many things I would regret later, but when I look back now I can see God was at work in my life – even in that period of time where I didn’t want anything to do with Him. He surely has protected me from many more and worse things then what I already did.

About six months before I would meet my future husband I started to cry out to God. I was living in great fear. I was convinced that I would go to hell when I died. I was afraid to go to sleep and never wake up again. This period was the most fearfull time of my life.
Then I met my future husband. He just got saved and told me how important it is to believe God. They were not magical words, but for me they were! I could not forget those words. Shortly after that I took a shower and was able to lay all my fear and sin at the foot of the Cross. After the shower I was born again and I felt clean—inside and out.

Letting go of all the things I had done was not easy. I am grateful to God that after about 4 years of marriage, He arranged for us to meet our present pastor. The Lord used him to show me how much He loved me, how much He wanted me not to worry and just enjoy my life with Him. I had to let go of my worries and learn to trust God. I found out that it was easier said than done. How often did I give my problems to God and after I said ‘amen’ I took them all back again. The issue was that I didn’t trust God with my problems. I still thought I had to solve them by myself – perhaps even thought I could do it better.

As some of you might know I suffer from a joint ailment—I have a lot of pain in my joints and muscles. I have seen many physical therapists and tried tons of orthotics. Nothing solved the problem.
James 5 verse 14 & 15 tells us: “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. ” 
So we asked our pastor to anoint me. It was a very special experience – I really felt the touch of God. I finally surrendered myself to God and expected Him to guide my life. The next day I had to put my beloved rabbit to sleep. It was a sad day, but the day after that I felt blessed and was delighted in the Lord. I felt so loved that at times I thought I could take no more. I had a constant smile on my face that I couldn’t hide  even if I wanted to. My husband found it difficult to handle this, because I was so different. This period lasted over a month. It was the most glorious experience I had with God. I have had times of great delight in the Lord after that, but they didn’t last that long. Most of the time they happened after a time of great oppression. God gives us these moments when we need it—to encourage us. I can rest and be assured that He loves me and He will never leave me nor forsake me. I might not have received physical healing – but God knows what is good for His child and I trust Him to know what He is doing. The spiritual blessing was more than I could ever hope for and it’s more precious to me than a physical healing without His blessing.

Surrendering your life to God sounds easy, but bringing it into practice is not as easy as it may sound. You really have to let go of everything and place it in Gods hands. It is a process and it’s something that will come back again and again. But a life surrendered to God is a life of peace and rest. That doesn’t mean you won’t run into difficulties again. Those things happen to educate us and let us grow in faith. Just put it all in Gods hands and let Him handle it.

So glad to know that I stand redeemed before God!
I Stand Redeemed by Legacy Five

41 comments:

  1. MARIAN, what a wonderful testimony and so encouraging and inspiring. That love of God's you spoke of where you felt like you couldn't take anymore... Wow I know that feeling! That's exactly what it's like when we begin to truly experience the depth of His love for us! Love what you wrote about constantly surrending our lives to God too, how true that we often want to handle everything ourselves.
    Love the song - I stand redeemed. Amen! :)

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  2. NOELA, thank you for stopping by and reading my testimony. That's what I was telling you yesterday that some times are more glorious than others. Yes, I'm so glad to stand redeemed!! What a grace!

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  3. Marian, thank you for sharing your testimony. Oh my goodness how many times have I put something into God's hands and taken it back. I am going through a difficult family relationship with my Dad and Step-mom right now. Your words have spoken to me this morning. I'm hearing through your testimony that I need to take my burdens to the Lord and leave them there! I think it is wonderful that we can share our testimonies with others! Thanks again and God Bless You!

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  4. JUDY, I believe we all struggle with wanting to handle things by ourselves. It's so naturally to try to solve our own problems. And it's such a relief to finally let go! I knew for years what I had to do - leave it in God's hands - and I couldn't believe myself that I picked it up again and again.
    I will pray for your family relationship. And I'm thankful that the Lord used my testimony to speak to your heart today. All praise to Him.
    Many blessings!

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  5. Even though this isn't the first time I have read your testimony, MARIAN, you made me tear up again. I just love this and it touches me deeply. I especially thank you for reminding me to leave things with God (you know what a trying and overwhelming time I'm going through and getting ready to go through), and simply trust Him.

    I also love how you described His presence overflowing your soul, and how that often happens after times of great oppression. What a merciful God we serve. He longs to bless us, but He knows He has to let us go through the fire sometimes to refine us.

    The Bible says-Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! I stand redeemed-hallelujah! Love that song!

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  6. DIANA, it is in times of great oppression that we learn to trust the Lord and grow closer to Him. It's not pleasant to be in such oppression, but when looking back all I can say is: "It was good that I were there".

    Praying for God's nearness in your life while you're going through this difficult time.

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  7. I am so touched by your words, Marian and I feel I know you better. Yes, Jesus just wants to love us and have us lean everything on Him. It isn't easy tho. Satan is on the prowl and he just won't give up until he is ordered into the bottomless pit but "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world" I loved this song so much and yes, we the redeemed of the Lord should keep on saying so all the time. I feel like I have made a new friend in you my Christian Sister and thanks to all the book giveaways I might never have known you. Thank you for your positive witness!! Darlene

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  8. Thank you for the prayers, MARIAN. Everything seems more difficult and overwhelming when one isn't feeling so great physically. :(

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  9. "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world"
    Amen to that DARLENE!

    The song 'I Stand Redeemed' is very special to me. The words are so beautiful! When I listen to it, it makes me happy and grateful for what God did for me.

    It's good to have friends all around the globe and I'm also glad to know you, Darlene!

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  10. My physical health is the most difficult to surrender for me too, DIANA.

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  11. God is so good. Thanks for sharing your story, Marian!

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  12. MARIAN, thank you for sharing! And I am so glad God has protected you this past week as we hedged you in with prayers lifted up to Him who is our salvation. I thank God for you and Diana and Teresa and our readers! He is so good to put us all together!!!

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  13. CARRIE, I had a good week. Thanks for the prayers. I am also glad God put us all together! I love connecting with readers and authors on this blog.

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  14. You are absolutely right about surrendering and practicing being 2 different things. I found that out when we surrendered to missions but then learning to have the faith to believe He would provide for us & leave our home & family. It's a daily decision.

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  15. MELODY, we wanted to go into missions, but the Lord had other plans for us. Now my husband is a preacher and we know this is GOD's plan - the mission thing was OUR plan. Especially my husband has had a difficult time surrendering missions and accepting God's calling to become a preacher.
    Funny thing is that I prayed in our first year of marriage that my husband would become a minister. Well, God absolutely answered that prayer! :)

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  16. OHMYGOODNESSGRACIOUSME-- KAREN just won the Carol award at the ACFW conference!!!!!

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  17. Thank you for sharing your testimony with us. It truly blessed me.

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  18. Marian -- BEAUTIFUL TESTIMONY, my friend!! And I so relate about God giving a graced period in our lives, because I have been blessed enough to experience that too for a short time.

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  19. CARLA, thank you for telling me. Many blessings to you!

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  20. JULIE, isn't it awesome when God is giving us those periods in life?! God is soo good!
    Hugs!

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  21. Our two winners were drawn for this week--Dana and Cynthia! CONGRATS to both of these ladies!

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  22. Thank you ! Blessings Dana Wilkerson Spille

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  23. MARIAN I'm so sorry I didn't get by here yesterday, I had a crazy day! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your beautiful testimony! Thank you so much for sharing.

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  24. TERESA, I know you are always busy in the weekends. No worries! :)

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  25. Awesome testimiony ! Marian my own pain from arthritis is horrible but has been worse last few months. Recently my Dad was diagnosed with RA like Carrie. So I wonder if that's my issue. Pain isn't pleasant, but God will see us home.

    Love you
    Linda Finn

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  26. Thank you for sharing your testimony Marian. The hardest thing to surrender to God is when we have a physical ailment. I have chronic ailments and at time it's hard to know and remember that he "works all things for my good"
    Hugs, prayers, & best wishes!!
    Jan

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  27. Beautiful testimony, friend Marian! Surrender and obedience are two of the hardest things to do. God's blessings are bestowed on those who can achieve by just giving up to Christ and living in His will by faith. Each of us has our own baggage but Jesus loves each of us so much He was not only willing to die for us but He did and yet, He rose again defeating Satan. Praise His holy name.Blessings and congratulations on your new book!!!!

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    1. Thank you, Darlene! You're such an encourager. Glad to have you as my friend. Bless you!

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  28. Such a touching testimony, Marian, thanks for sharing with us!

    Aren't those times of delight in the Lord wonderful? And - you're right, the greatest joy seems to come after our hardest falls. But - we serve an amazing & patient God, who is always waiting there to pick us up. True, lasting, happiness comes when we learn to leave the reins in His hands.

    Congratulations on Heaven Is Not Far!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  29. Thank you for sharing and caring. God is so faithful never to just leave us alone. He keeps calling us to draw close to Him. Praise the Lord for a Christian husband. God's blessings to you both.

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  30. Thanks you for sharing your testimony. Thank you for reminding me that I need to give my troubles to God and leave them there. That is the most difficult thing for me to do. God bless you!!

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  31. Awesome testimony Marian. It's always amazing to hear stories of Gods grace and love even though we are all sinners and fall short of the Glory of God.

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    1. You're right about that, William. Thanks for stopping by!

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